Preview: Euro 2008 Group A – Switzerland vs Czech Republic

Switzerland

vs

Czech Republic

Saturday, June 7th 2008, 1800 CET
Basel (Switzerland) – Travel to Basel

THE BIG PICTURE

It’s the opening game of Euro 2008. Grit your teeth and pretend to enjoy the opening ceremony (maybe watch it with an older family member) and you’ll be rewarded. Because after the dancing and what not, it all begins. Co-hosts Switzerland versus Euro ‘96 finalists the Czech Republic, and when the whistle goes for kickoff, Euro 2008 is underway.

SWITZERLAND

Three Key Players:
Philippe Senderos – a tower of strength when on his game, a Titus Bramble when he’s not
Tranquillo Barnetta – Switzerland’s main creative force, but only 23
Alexander Frei – Switzerland’s star striker, back from injury.
Switzerland squad
Switzerland Team Profile

Team News: Tranquillo Barnetta and Patrick Mueller are both available after fitness worries.

Triviatastic: Alexander Frei got a three match ban for spitting at Steven Gerrard during Euro 2004, and atoned by agreeing to take care of a llama.

Visit Jan at the Switzerland Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Three Key Players:
Petr Cech – the incredible keeper with the protective headguard
Tomas Ujfalusi – captain, defensive lynchpin, looks like an ’80s rock band rhythm guitarist
Jan Koller – 35 years old, but still very very tall
Czech Republic squad
Czech Republic Team Profile

Team News: Right-back Zdenek Pospech has manflu, but leftback/winger Marek Jankulovski has declared himself fit and captain and defensive main man Tomas Ujfalusi is telling everyone his muscle strain is nothing to worry about.

Triviatastic: The word “Czech” is an adjective and therefore should not be used as the abbreviated name of the country. But it’s faster to type than Czech Republic

Visit M’eda at the Czech Republic Euro 2008 Team Blog for more.

BIG BATTLES

Swiss defensive mids vs Czech attacking mids – Switzerland play a defensive mid heavy system, while Czech Republic are without Tomas Rosicky (or Pavel Nedved for that matter.)

Philippe Senderos/Patrick Muller/Johan Djourou vs Jan Koller – can anyone beat the big man in the air?

Exuberance vs Experience Swiss attackers Tranquillo Barnetta and Johan Vonlanthen are fresh-faced early twentysomethings while most of the Czech defence are battle hardened Serie A survivors.

LIVEBLOG

Click here for the Switzerland vs Czech Republic LiveBlog.